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"Apenas" is a form of "apenas", an adverb which is often translated as "barely". "Tan pronto como" is a phrase which is often translated as "as soon as". Learn more about the difference between "tan pronto como" and "apenas" below.
tan pronto como(
tahn
 
prohn
-
toh
 
koh
-
moh
)
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
a. as soon as
Necesito que llegues tan pronto como puedas. I need you to get here as soon as you can.
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apenas(
ah
-
peh
-
nahs
)
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
adverb
a. barely
Apenas podía oír la señal de radio.I could barely hear the radio signal.
b. hardly
Apenas podía andar con aquellos tacones.I could hardly walk in those high heels.
c. scarcely
Apenas conseguí descansar durante el viaje.I could scarcely rest during my trip.
a. only
Hace apenas un mes que lo conozco.I have only known him for a month.
b. barely
Ella apenas tenía tiempo para recoger la casa antes de la fiesta.She barely had any time to clean the house before the party.
A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
conjunction
a. as soon as
Apenas llegue a la ciudad los llamo.As soon as I arrive in the city, I will call you.
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